If you’re looking for a SEXY read with just a touch of sweetness, that’s exactly what you’re going to get with this one. Our couple’s journey to happy ever after is certainly not the typical one, but it works for who they are. Heavy on the steam and light on the emotion, Dirty Charmer plays up the chemistry between this unlikely pairing. While I wish we got more swoony moments between these two, it’s a solid, entertaining read from start to finish. You’ll love this dirty-talking hero who falls when he least expects it.

The story follows Tommy, a shameless flirt who works as a bodyguard. He doesn’t take much in life seriously – other than his job – and finds joy in the fun, spontaneous side of life. When he meets surgeon-in-training Abby, she makes an immediate impression. She’s career-focused and driven, and such a different kind of woman than he’s known in his life. Something about her serious side just make Tommy want to peel back the layers and find the wild side within, so when she proposes an unorthodox arrangement, he is all for it. But steamy nights turn into satisfying conversation that slowly transitions into something much deeper.

I picked this one up specifically because it’s written by Emma Chase, and… have you seen that COVER? There’s no way I could resist it, even if the storyline isn’t one that I would normally gravitate towards. So I was pleasantly surprised by how well Chase develops the relationship before these two fall into bed together, making it obvious to the reader that there are deeper feelings there even if these two don’t realize it. While I definitely would’ve liked some more tender moments – these two do spend a LOT more time in the bedroom than they do out of it – I still felt the relationship progressing. I think a large part of my connection to the story was Chase’s easy, light writing style, as well as our charming, delightful hero. Tommy is caring and compassionate with a protective steak, and he’s definitely a major element of what makes the story work. I’d recommend this for someone looking for a light, steamy read, because it DEFINITELY has that going for it. The relationship itself has a few too many bumps in the road without the emotional payoff for me to say that I loved it, but I enjoyed the book the whole way through. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next from the author, because her writing style really does work for me. I received an ARC via Valentine PR and am voluntarily leaving a review of this steamy romance.

“If I try to kiss you at midnight, when I’m off shift and you’re officially not a client anymore . . . would you let me?”

Dirty Charmer by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Emma Chase, is LIVE!

Abigail Haddock is stunning, sensible, and some would say . . . stuffy. But it’s not really her fault. She was raised in one of Wessco’s oldest, most affluent, aristocratic families—“stuffy” is their middle name. So is successful. Abby’s working overtime to distinguish herself as a top-notch physician, just as her family legacy demands.

She doesn’t have time for nonsense.

Tommy Sullivan’s all about nonsense.

Sure, he’s an elite bodyguard with lethal skills and co-owner of the renowned, S&S Securities Firm—protector of the wealthy and titled. But he’s also rowdy, fun and thoroughly irresistible.

Tommy knows how to have a good time, and he’s never seen someone more in need of a good time than Abby. The lass needs long, wet, filthy kisses—STAT—and he’s just the man for the job.

It doesn’t take long for a wildly sexy, sinfully satisfying, no-strings attached arrangement to turn into something more. Something sweet and addictive and real. But Tommy and Abby are too royally stubborn to admit it.

Opposites attract, everyone knows that. But can they last—can they love…for forever?

Excerpt:

Apparently, Tommy and his bodyguard brethren are trained to text without actually having to look at their phones, so they can communicate covertly with the device in their pocket.

But I’ve explained to him—at length—that that doesn’t matter worth a damn.

I’ve informed him of the overwhelming statistics on the dangers of texting while operating a vehicle and I’ve disclosed my firsthand experiences of seeing the deadly carnage of such behavior during my emergency room rotations.

And still, after a weighted pause, he replies:

Godly Orgasm Giver:Maybe.

Me:Well, STOP IT!!

For a moment, the screen remains quiet . . . and then those sneaky little dots appear again.

Godly Orgasm Giver:I like it when you get all shouty caps at me—have I ever told you that?

I’m going to revisit the idea of Tommy teaching me how to throw a punch. It would come in handy at moments just like this.

Grogg, the butler, bends down and dips his large, square head towards my grandmother.

“A gentleman is out front, Lady Agatha . . .”

Oh no.

“On a motorbike.”

OH NOOOO.

“Well, send him away.” The Dowager Countess shoos her hand in the air, as countesses do. “We don’t accept solicitations.”

I scramble to my feet. “Actually, he’s here for me.”

I throw my tablet and phone and books into my satchel, to hasten my not-so-great escape.

“Pardon?” my father inquires.

“He?” my grandmother prods.

I swallow hard, rushing out the words. “Yes. He’s a friend. I messaged him for a lift.”

My brother Sterling’s eggs-Benedict-laden fork pauses midair on its way to his mouth.

“I didn’t know you had the sort of friends who road motorbikes.”

“I didn’t know you had friends,” my sister Athena comments, not in a cruel way, but with sincere surprise.

I shrug, looping the strap of my satchel over my shoulder.

“Yes, well . . . you know . . .”

With that brilliant retort, I turn and walk out of the room.

I head towards the foyer, the heels of my knee-high boots clicking rapidly on the marble floor like a ticking time bomb. I yank open the giant front door and . . . come to an immediate stop on the veranda outside of it.

Because Tommy’s there, down the long gray steps on the front drive, sitting easily astride a shiny contraption of chrome and steel, wearing work boots, snug blue jeans and a black leather jacket—looking so sinfully good it might actually be illegal.

I have to remind myself that I’m angry with him, and when I do, I march straight down the steps. His eyes alight on my boots, skirt and light gray sweater—the ensemble gives off an unintended “naughty schoolteacher” feel—and the corner of Tommy’s wicked mouth hooks up accordingly.

“Hello, sweetheart.”

“Are you mad?!”

He takes a moment to think it over.

“Not the last time I checked.”

“What are you doing here?” I hold out my hands. “And what is this?”

“It’s a motorbike.”

“It’s death on wheels.”

He chuckles. “James loaned it to me for the day. The hills are beautiful this time of year—I thought we’d take a ride together. You wanted stress relief, didn’t you?” Tommy taps the shiny handlebar. “A ride on this is as stress-relieving as it gets—better than normal-bloke sex.”

I peer at him. Do I want to know?

Apparently I do, because I hear myself asking, “Normal-bloke sex?”

“Yeah.” He winks. “I mean it’s not better than how I do it—obviously. But the way an average bloke has sex—this is definitely better.”

I shake my head, folding my arms. “Do you have any idea how dangerous these things are? The statistics on motorbike fatalities are—”

Tommy covers my mouth with his hand.

His palm is warm, and so is his voice—a thick, sweet, honeyed tone.

“Do you trust me, Abby?”

After a moment, he takes his hand away and I gaze into those deep, dark eyes . . . falling into them so easily it should be frightening.

I glance over my shoulder to see the whole family gathered outside the front of the door, a spectrum of curious and gob-smacked expressions plastered on their typically reserved faces. And my grandmother is indeed headed this way, her jeweled necklace jingling as she quickly descends the long slope of stone steps.

“Abigail!”

Her voice is high-pitched and harried—a tone I’ve never heard her use before, and one I’m not keen on exploring now.

“Have to be going!” I lift my hand and give them a thumbs-up. “Talk soon!”

Like a teenager running off with the town bad boy, I hike up my skirt and climb onto the motorbike behind Tommy. He clasps my hands together securely over his stomach.

“Hold on tight, lass.”

I do just that—squeezing my arms around his solid frame and resting my cheek against the warm leather on his back as he revs the engine to life and we pull away with a roar that vibrates in my bones.

And as strange as it is—or maybe it’s not strange at all—I’ve never felt safer.

About Emma:

New York Times bestselling author Emma Chase writes contemporary romance novels known for their clever banter, emotional, and sexy, swoonworthy moments. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages around the world.

Emma lives in New Jersey with her amazing husband, two spirited children, and two adorable, but badly behaved, dogs. She has a long standing love/hate relationship with caffeine.